Families supporting families in Marin
Family Allies of Marin was founded in 1989, based on a shared vision: to build a system of support for families in our community. Today, we’re the only nonprofit in Marin County focused exclusively on families.
Over the years, we’ve developed a model that pairs direct assistance with compassionate, personalized case management. It works: more than 96% of the families we serve remain housed. Last year alone, we prevented homelessness for 788 children.
Our new goal? To end family homelessness for every parent and child in Marin County. Become an ally to help us make it happen.
"...It is important for families to know - whether they are struggling financially, new to the County, or need support - with AAF, they have a network in the community and resources to help them navigate their situation."
Annabelle
Family member
“…truly shows up in those vital moments when you need someone the most. Thanks to their support, we've been able to take meaningful steps toward independence, stability, and safety for our family. We are deeply grateful for everything they have done and continue to do.”
Daniel & Selamawit
Family members
“…helps people who want to do better and parents can feel like there is support out there when it doesn't always feel that way for people in their situation. It's a great agency that provides hope and assistance when you are struggling and need a little help to get back on your feet."
Melissa
Family member
Read our impact report
788 children. 444 families. All home.
For many Marin families with extremely low incomes, housing takes more than half of what they earn. One unexpected expense, like a car repair or a medical bill, can put their home at risk. Our report shows how FAM’s model of direct assistance and one-on-one case management helped 444 families stay housed last year.
Meet our team
Jacqueline Jaffee, JD
Jacqueline Jaffee is an attorney who has committed herself to community and service. She received her undergraduate degree from Emory University and her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center. Jacqueline and her husband, Ian, enjoy all the activities that come with raising their three children in Marin County.
Executive Director
Jasmine Martinez
Jasmine Martinez is a Bilingual Chief Program Officer at Adopt A Family of Marin. She provides case management, advocacy, support, and referrals to low-income families living in Marin County. Jasmine has years of experience serving low-income and high-risk communities, working with individuals in crisis, at-risk youth, and in community health. She holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology and Women & Gender Studies from Dominican University of California. Her passion for social justice issues including women’s rights, poverty, child welfare and educational equity was sparked from a very young age. Born and raised in San Francisco, Jasmine is an avid Giants and Forty-Niners fan. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors.
Chief Program Officer
Patty Duran
Patty Duran is a bilingual, first generation college student. She received her AA in Sociology from College of Marin and her BA in sociology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies at Sonoma State University in the Spring of 2023. Patty has worked for over three years in the county helping homeless families and low income families in need of support. Her passion to help others started when she was little. Working towards social justice and equity is very important to Patty. In her free time, she likes spending time with her dogs, family and friends.
Case Manager
Maria Granados
Maria Granados is a bilingual, first generation college student. She received her AA in Sociology from College of Marin and her BA in Sociology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies at Sonoma State University in the Spring of 2020. Maria has worked for over 10 years in the county helping domestic violence victims and survivors, homeless families and low income families in need of services. Her passion is to strive for equity and to help her community feel seen. In her free time, she likes to spend time with family, friends and her pets.
Case Manager(415) 456-7805 x. 1006 | maria@familyalliesofmarin.org
Wanda Melendez is a bilingual, first generation college student. She received her AA in Communication Studies from College of Marin and her BA in Media Studies with a minor in Journalism at UC Berkeley. Wanda has experience working with youth and low income families in Marin County. She is grateful to be supporting families through her work at AAF. Wanda's passion is to support her community and work towards social justice and equity. In her free time, she likes traveling and spending time with her family and friends.
Case ManagerWanda Melendez
(415) 456-7805 x. 1001 | wanda@familyalliesofmarin.org
Rosa Colin
Rosa is a first generation daughter of immigrants who is passionate about serving the community and bridging the gap between communities and systems that create barriers. Rosa is the first in her family to pursue higher education. She graduated from Sacramento State with both her BA in Social Work and her Master’s in Social Work. Rosa feels privileged to be able to support our community and is committed to breaking barriers and advocating for our clients to the best of her ability.
Case Manager415-456-7805 x. 1005 | rosa@familyalliesofmarin.org
Board of Directors
Cynthia Weingard
Cynthia (Cyndi) Weingard has 35 years of experience securing funding for nonprofit organizations dedicated to youth development, hunger, and access to higher education. She currently is involved in nonprofit and philanthropic consulting and serving her community.
Cyndi was Executive Director of Foundation and Corporation Relations at Samuel Merritt University; Director of Corporate, Foundation and Government Relations at Dominican University of California; and Development Director at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay, Sterne School, and the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank.
She earned her BA in Communication Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara, and her MBA at Dominican University of California. Cyndi enjoys volunteering for nonprofit agencies in San Rafael, California where she raised her two daughters and is proud to be on the Adopt A Family Board of Directors.
Board President
Mark Jaime
Mark has been in higher education for 40 years working in Student Life, Advancement, Alumni and Family Relations, as well as coordinating community outreach programs in support of students and community partners. He is also an Integrative Coach, supporting students in transitioning to college, achieving personal and academic success and enhancing their sense of belonging and connectedness. Mark has worked at both Saint Mary’s College of California and Dominican University of California.
Mark has a BA in Psychology and an MA in Counseling from Saint Mary’s College of California.
Mark believes that giving back to your community is not only gratifying and essential but, more importantly, fundamental to ensuring that we build the world in which we want to be a part. Mark and his wife reside in San Rafael and they have two children.
Vice President
David Short
David Short is a Regional Manager at Bank of Marin, overseeing 8 retail branches in Sonoma & Marin counties. Beginning his banking career 17 years ago with Bank of Marin as a teller in Petaluma, David is a four-time President’s Club winner, a 2018 Forty Under 40 recipient and a graduate of the Western Bankers Association’s Executive Development Program. He attributes success to strong relationships he works to develop within his organization and community. David is a firm believer in giving back, and has served on numerous nonprofit boards and committees, notably as Board President for both Petaluma People Services Center and Novato Human Needs Center. Born and raised in Petaluma, he currently resides in Santa Rosa with his wife of 18 years, Brittany, their 11-year-old son Brody and 8-year-old daughter Kennedy. He enjoys playing golf and baseball as well as spending time outdoors with his family. David believes more important than doing well, is doing good.
Treasurer
Caren Schmidt
Caren is a child psychologist and the Associate Director of Behavioral Health at Marin Community Clinics. Prior to MCC she was Director of Clinical Services at Child and Adolescent Services at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. She specializes in childhood trauma and has had a 20+ year career working with underserved children and families. Caren received her BA in Psychology at Boston College, and her Doctor of Psychology at CSPP. She was appointed to the Marin Childcare Commission, and has held various volunteer positions in the Foundation for Reed Schools, Huckleberry Youth Programs, and National League of Young Men.
Caren was born and raised in Marin and spends most of her free time cheering on her two teenagers at their various sporting events.
Secretary
Leigh Bakhtiari
Leigh is a dedicated business owner and community leader with a passion for giving back. As the co-owner of City Carpets, a family-run flooring company in Marin County, she has spent over three decades helping homeowners and businesses find high-quality, sustainable flooring solutions. Leigh’s commitment to service extends beyond her business—she actively supports local economic growth through her work with the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce and is excited to serve on the board of Adopt A Family. A Marin native, she values collaboration, mentorship, and initiatives that strengthen the community. When she’s not working, Leigh enjoys spending time with her family, including her grandchildren and her beloved Pyrenees mix, Casper.
Lanya Havas Zambrano
Lanya Havas Zambrano is the co-founder of Firewood Marketing, which she helped grow into one of the largest independent marketing agencies in the U.S. before its acquisition by S4 Capital/MediaMonks. With a career spanning operations and marketing strategy, she is recognized for blending business expertise with a people-first approach. She holds a Bachelor of Arts, dual majoring in French Literature and International Relations with a minor in Italian, and an MBA.
Giving back has always been central to Lanya’s leadership philosophy. At Firewood, she fostered a culture where philanthropy was woven into the company’s fabric through “Firewood in the Field,” a program that supported more than 30 charitable organizations with financial contributions, pro bono digital marketing services, and volunteer efforts.
Today, Lanya devotes much of her time to community and philanthropy in Marin. At the heart of it all, she is most proud of her family. She and her husband, Juan, live in Marin with their son, Sebastian, and their dog, Oro. Family is her foundation and the reason she believes so deeply in building strong, stable communities.
Susan joined the Adopt A Family (AAF) Board in 2018 as Liaison between the AAF and Ross Valley Women's League (RVWL) boards. Susan was an active member of RVWL from 2015-2020 in a variety of leadership roles before transitioning to the AAF Board in 2020.
Susan had a long career in marketing and business management for large companies such as Carnation, Nestle, and Wells Fargo after graduating from the University of Iowa. These companies afforded her the opportunity to strategically lead, promote, and manage businesses in excess of 100 million dollars. After retiring, she remained involved in community and philanthropic organizations including the San Francisco Symphony, Bay Area Discovery Museum, various school boards and National Charity League.
Susan lives in Mill Valley and is an avid hiker and world traveler. She enjoys spending time with her husband (Fritz) and two adult children. She is proud to be a part of the Adopt A Family Board and is passionate about the AAF Mission to help local families in crisis.
Susan Zimmer
Imma Trillo is a retired Human Resources executive with decades of experience in the field. She has worked with marketing and advertising agencies, helped grow start ups, and led global HR teams. At the time of her retirement, she headed the HR organization for S4 Capital / Media.Monks.
Imma believes in giving back and volunteers at community support organizations as well as wildlife conservation non-profits. She is the proud mama of Matilda, a lovely chi-weenie. Besides hiking, traveling, reading, writing, and spending more time with friends, Imma enjoys a late passion for dancing—from pop up women’s parties, to line dancing, to bhangra. She is excited to join the Adopt A Family board and to participate in its mission and efforts to end family homelessness in Marin.